December 2021 Minutes
Baker Chamber of Commerce & Ag General Meeting
Thursday, December 2nd, 2021 at The Corner.
Vice-President Alissa Miller called the meeting to order.
Members present: Tammy O’Donnell, Alissa Miller, Karol Zachmann, James Parks, Dean Wang, Vaughn Zenko, Jeff Howell, Christina Gaub, and Steve Zachmann.
Executive Director Report: Director Heiser explained that she applied for the Business Leads Fellow Program through the US Chamber of Commerce Foundation. This will provide monthly virtual workshops that will focus on history, policy, and programming of education and workforce development. There will also be one intensive in-person meeting that will focus on education and workforce deep dives and developing programmatic skills like fundraising, communications, data collections, and use. This meeting hasn’t been set up yet due to COVID. This is a program that is funded through the US Chamber and wouldn’t cost our organization any money, but provide tons of useful education and technical assistance.
Old Business:
Memorandum of Understanding Between Chamber and SMART- has been signed.
Rec Department Update- Director Heiser advised that the Rec Department computer has been ordered along with the Microsoft Office Subscription. Volleyball and preschool tumbling are slated to start in January.
Baker Jam (All hands-on deck) April 2nd-3rd -Dates have been secured and a flyer has been posted to Facebook. We will need volunteers to help with set-up, clean up and to referee. Registration will start in January. James Parks, Pastor at First Baptist stated he could help referee.
Christmas in the Park-There was a great turnout. A wrap up meeting will be held on Monday at 12 PM at Compass Coffee.
New Business:
Christmas Cheer Bingo- The board decided to wait until after the Christmas stroll and do 2 drawings that night as only one entry was received for November 27th (Christmas in the Park). If you shop locally at any 3 of the Chamber businesses listed on the BINGO cards and show proof of purchase date you can be entered to win $75 in Baker Bucks.
Christmas Stroll Parade- Floats can line up at 6:45 PM at the Hospital Parking lot. Alissa will post a map of the route on Facebook. Currently she has 10 floats participating.
Reports From Members:
SMART: Vaughn and Ashley are working on grant applications for the Montana Main Street Grant to restore the old town clock, Montana History Foundation Grant to fix up the façade of the old Baker State Bank Building, as well as a Montana Historic Preservation Grant to replace the roof of the old Baker State Bank Building.
EMEDA: Was 1 of 9 communities accepted into the Zero to Five Montana Pilot Program that will offer valuable technical assistance for our childcare project. The thought is to possibly create a downtown business childcare co-op in the main floor of the BSB until the new facility is built.
City of Baker: December 1st, 2021 Blaine Higgins was sworn in as the new city police officer. There was an interview completed for the prospective hire to fill his position in the public works department. FWP biologist Melissa Foster gave a presentation on CWD disease at last night’s city council meeting. The sent-out tests from local deer did come back CWD positive. Those that come back negative will be processes and venison will be distributed to those in need.
First Baptist Church: The O’Fallon Community Choir Christmas Concert will be Sunday at 2 PM.
Bank of Baker: Will be holding an Open House next Thursday from 9 AM-4 PM with Baker Choir performing at 11 AM and Plevna Choir performing at 1:30 PM.
EPEDC: Won 4 awards at MEDA. Currently Alissa is working on Growth through Ag Grants and ARPA Ag Grants. There are also workshops coming up for producers, farmers, and ranchers that focus on mental health.
Newell Broadcasting: New manager Jeff Howell introduced himself and let everyone know he would be out and about in the community.
Friends of FMC: Festival of Trees is going on at Thee Garage Showroom until 12/09. There is a free will offering soup and bread supper provided by the Friends of FMC Foundation during the Christmas Stroll from 5-7 PM also in Thee Garage Showroom.
Christina made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Vaughn seconded. All in favor. Meeting Adjourned.